Trip from Houston, TX to Marfa, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

10h 9m

Distance

596 mi

959 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$91

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

10h 0m ★

6 AM

10h 9m

8 AM

10h 27m

10 AM

10h 15m

12 PM

10h 14m

3 PM

10h 16m

5 PM

10h 26m

8 PM

10h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Download GPX

Houston, TX

Trace Hudson

Marfa, TX

Thomas balabaud

Trip Overview

Houston to Marfa is 596 miles and takes about 10 hours 9 minutes via I 10 and US Highway 67, with a fuel budget near $87 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip is recommended for 2 days, suggesting an overnight stop would be beneficial. You'll be traveling within Texas for the entire route, moving from one part of the Great Plains region to another. It's a long-haul drive that requires some planning to make comfortable.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

298 miles from Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	309.4 mi	4h 54m
Katy Freeway	174.9 mi	3h 1m
South US Higway 67	25.7 mi	29m
West US Highway 90	24.9 mi	26m
South US Highway 67	21.6 mi	24m
Anderson Loop	20.4 mi	22m
East US Highway 90	7.6 mi	8m
Farm-to-Market Road 1518	5.4 mi	9m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 309.4 mi, about 4h 54m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~1,586 veh/hr typical · worst 2,285

Quietest

2 AM

~237 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston, TX and Marfa, TX.

Start on Louisiana Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Louisiana Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Merge onto I 10; US 90

175 mi · 3 hr 1 min · Katy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

1.9 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto FM 1518

5.4 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1518

At end of road, turn left onto FM 78

2.0 mi · 3 min · Gordon A Blake Highway

Turn left

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Take the ramp

265 ft · 6 sec

Toward Loop 1604 North

Merge onto Loop 1604

20 mi · 22 min · Anderson Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 10 West, US 87 North

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

306 mi · 4 hr 51 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

0.2 mi · 27 sec · La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Exit 246 Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University

Continue on US 67

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Interstate 10 West

Turn left onto US 67

26 mi · 29 min · South US Higway 67

Continue on US 67

22 mi · 24 min · South US Highway 67

Continue on US 67; US 90

7.6 mi · 8 min · East US Highway 90

Continue on US 67; US 90

1.6 mi · 1 min · East Avenue E

Continue on US 67; US 90

25 mi · 26 min · West US Highway 90

Continue on US 67; US 90

0.4 mi · 1 min · East San Antonio Street

Turn right onto TX 17

183 ft · 10 sec · South Highland Street

Turn left

190 ft · 14 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 10-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Consider departing Houston in the morning to reach your overnight stop with plenty of daylight. With 2 planned stops, you have flexibility to break up the drive, but be mindful of fuel availability, especially on the longer stretches of I 10. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can become more spread out the further west you travel.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 298 miles from Houston, TX, or about 5h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 309.4 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 131 miles or 2h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 298 miles or 5h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 298 miles or 5h 10m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 9h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marfa, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Houston, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Houston, TX

Aim for roughly 298 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Marfa, TX

Aim for roughly 298 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 131 miles from Houston, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 309.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

San Antonio, TX

197 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

San Antonio, TX to Marfa, TX

404.4 mi · 6h 45m

city in and county seat of Kimble County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Junction, TX

393 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Junction, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kerrville, TX

298 mi · about 5.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 298 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Jarrell, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 131 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 298 miles from Houston, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 309.4 miles.

Overnight split

1.2 mi from route

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 514 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway

Merge onto I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

177.4 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward TX 1518: Schertz

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 591 Toward TX 1518: Schertz

205.7 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward Frontage Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Frontage Road

207.7 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

514 mi into trip | ~8h 36m in | La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 246 Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross S...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$91.25 one way

$182.51 round trip

$3.89/gal 25.4 MPG avg 209 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.29	$100.71	$201.42
premium	$4.64	$108.83	$217.66
diesel	$6.18	$144.99	$289.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$91

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$221–$331

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 208.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $63 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	178.8	2	$62.58	$28.61
Efficient EV	149	1	$52.15	$23.84
EV Truck/SUV	238.4	2	$83.44	$38.14

Gas CO2

209 kg

EV CO2

70 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026

Origin

Houston, TX

Morning in Houston on Sunday

Local time

8:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Partly Cloudy

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Destination

Marfa, TX

Morning in Marfa on Sunday

Local time

8:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

10h 9m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

17 mi from route ~43 min detour Free near mile 185

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 246.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

About 90% of this 596-mile drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on I 10 covering 309.4 miles. You'll primarily be on I 10 before transitioning to South US Highway 67. Expect a significant amount of rural cruising and fewer exits once you leave the immediate Houston area. The final segment will involve more surface road driving as you approach Marfa.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 309.4 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 596 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (I 10; US 90 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,693 ft 35 ft

Total Climb

4,929 ft

Total Descent

272 ft

Highest Point

4,693 ft

~596 mi in

Elevation Range

4,658 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Houston, TX and Marfa, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1604 North, Fm 1776: Alpine and Sul Ross State University.

Loop 1604 North

185.3 mi in | ~3h 19m

Fm 1776: Alpine

514 mi in | ~8h 36m | via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Sul Ross State University

514 mi in | ~8h 36m | via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

About the Cities

Starting in Houston, TX

Full guide →

“Space City” · Founded 1836

Houston is a sprawling port city in Southeastern Texas. An oil boom and continuing international immigration has brought explosive growth to the city, and it is now the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and the most diverse large city since 2021. While at first glance, the city appears to be a 9-5 central business district surrounded by a sea of suburbs and strip malls, there are many hidden gems to be discovered.

Top landmarks

• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — art museum in Houston, Texas
• Astrodome — historic place in Houston, Harris County, Texas
• Rothko Chapel — building in Houston, Harris County, Texas

Arriving in Marfa, TX

Full guide →

Marfa is a town of 1,600 people (2019) in the Big Bend Country region of Texas. It's known for two things: innovative art and mysterious lights.

Top landmarks

• Chinati Foundation — contemporary art museum in Marfa, Texas
• El Paisano Hotel — historic place in Marfa, Presidio County, Texas
• Presidio County Courthouse — historic place in Marfa, Presidio County, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 309.4 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 298 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 58 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Marfa, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 58 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marfa, TX before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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